95th PGA Championship History Exhibit open through Labor Day

Published: Thursday, May 30, 2013 | 8:56 a.m.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The 95th PGA Championship History Exhibit – Celebrating the Champions of the Season’s Final Major -- will commemorate the Championship’s return to New York by opening May 24, at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC).

From Friday, May 24 through Labor Day Monday, Sept. 2, golf enthusiasts and history lovers may enjoy a tour of some of the rarest artifacts and memorabilia which uncover the tradition of the PGA Championship and its past 94 Champions, including a display of defending PGA Champion Rory McIlroy, which will be unveiled on June 3.

The PGA Championship History Exhibit will be open daily in the Rochester Museum & Science Center’s Patricia F. Hale Gallery: Mondays-Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The 95th PGA Championship will be conducted Aug. 5-11, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. The Rochester Museum & Science Center also hosted the PGA Championship Exhibit in 2003, when the PGA Championship was last conducted at Oak Hill and won by Shaun Micheel.

The PGA Championship History Exhibit debuted in Louisville, Ky., in 2000, and travels to host PGA Championship cities. The exhibit features memorabilia spanning from Jim Barnes’ driver used to capture the inaugural Championship in 1916; a walking stick once used by the legendary Walter Hagen; Gene Sarazen’s niblick (today’s 9-iron); Jack Nicklaus’ wedge, which he used as he captured the 1980 PGA Championship at Oak Hill; the wedge that Phil Mickelson’s used to clinch his 2005 victory; Y.E. Yang’s 3-hybrid that sealed his historic 2009 triumph; and memorabilia from McIlroy’s historic win at Kiawah Island’s famed Ocean Course.

“The PGA Championship History Exhibit is a special journey behind the great Champions who have been both premier performers and among the leaders of the advancement of golf worldwide,” said PGA President Ted Bishop. “The PGA of America is pleased that the Rochester Museum & Science Center, a popular destination for both those in New York and tourists from around the globe for 100 years, will serve as host to this remarkable collection from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. New York is one of the great sports participation states in the country, and we anticipate we will have outstanding support once again leading up to the 95th PGA Championship this summer.”

The RMSC opened its doors to the public on Sept. 13, 1912. The RMSC continues to celebrate its centennial year with the community it serves through various activities, events and opportunities, as it honors its past and looks forward to the next 100 years of discovery, exploration and inspiration. Offering fun and educational programs and experiences, the RMSC builds futures in the important areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The RMSC also serves as a community-gathering place where visitors participate in shared, hands-on learning. In addition, the RMSC seeks to boost the local economy through workforce preparation and tourism.

“We are eager to draw visitors to Rochester, as well as delight the many golf and history fans in our community with the PGA Championship History Exhibit,” said Kate Bennett, president, Rochester Museum & Science Center. “It is a privilege to host an exhibit that honors a beloved tradition that families have enjoyed for years. Now, they can experience the PGA Championship together in a new way—its past and present all at once. This is an honor.”

The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) is located at 657 East Avenue in Rochester, N.Y., 75 miles east of Buffalo; 80 miles west of Syracuse, N.Y.; 5 hours west of New York City; and 2.5 hours from Toronto. Admission to the Museum during the Exhibit is: $13 for adults; $12 for seniors and college students; $11 for children ages 3-11; and free for PGA members, RMSC members and children under age 3. Family and Guests of PGA members will pay a special $5 rate. For more information, visit www.rmsc.org. For questions on the golf exhibit, please call (585) 271-4320.
About the 2013 PGA Championship

The PGA Championship perennially features the strongest field in golf and is considered one of the largest sporting events in the world. Since 1916, golf's best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship's coveted Wanamaker Trophy; a list of champions that includes: Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Walter Hagen. Tickets will be available for purchase through the 2013 PGA Championship website, www.pga.com/pgachampionship, or by phone at (800) PGA-GOLF.

About The PGA of America

Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

About the Rochester Science & Museum Center

Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is of the top two most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org.